Dogs Gone Wild Blamed for Farm Animal Attacks

The Alameda County Sheriff's Office today is alerting the public about several German shepherds that have attacked farm animals in rural parts of the county at least twice in the past month.

The first attack happened July 11 on Crow Canyon Road, when three German shepherds or German shepherd mixes killed several goats, Alameda County sheriff's Sgt. J.D. Nelson said.
 
One dog was captured after the attack and the sheriff's office held the animal for 10 days to give its owner a chance to come forward.
 
When nobody claimed the dog, it was deemed "vicious" and was euthanized, Nelson said.
 
The sheriff's office also received a report of two German shepherds trying to attack a calf recently, according to Nelson.
 
An adult cow that protected the youngster and saved it from certain death but the two dogs got away, Nelson said.
 
Nelson said he doesn't know whether the dogs are pets or wild, but said it is likely they belong to a rancher.

"More than likely they're pets," he said. "Just when they get together they get wild-like because they're animals."